Page 3 of Nolan

Annabelle startles slightly, looking up. When our eyes meet, I see a flash of something,uncertainty, maybe, or nervousness,before her professional mask slips back into place.

"Nolan," she says, her voice even. "We weren't sure when you'd be home, so we went ahead with bedtime."

"That's fine," I say, stepping into the room. "Sorry I'm late."

She stands, carefully transferring my half-asleep daughter to my arms. Ashlynn immediately snuggles against me, and I breathe in the clean scent of her freshly washed hair.

"I'll leave you to it," Annabelle says quietly, moving to slip past me.

Our arms brush as she passes, and we both freeze for a split second. The contact is minimal, nothing more than a whisper of fabric against fabric, but it sends electricity through me all the same.

"Belle," I say, before I can stop myself.

She turns, those blue eyes expectant. "Yes?"

What am I going to say? Weston's crude suggestion floats through my mind, and I immediately dismiss it. Not just because it's inappropriate, but because looking at her now, seeing her with my daughter, I know it's not what I want.

I don't want to get her out of my system. I don't want casual. And that realization terrifies me more than anything else.

"Thank you," I say instead. "For taking such good care of her."

Her expression softens just slightly. "It's my job, Nolan, and I love her."

"I know you do."

I watch her walk away, feeling the weight of my daughter in my arms, the beat of my heart in my chest. I think about how hard I've worked to create stability for Ashlynn after her mother walked out. How carefully I've built this life where my daughter feels safe and loved.

I can't risk that. I won't.

If I mess things up with Annabelle, I won't just lose a nanny. Ashlynn will lose someone she's clearly becoming attached to. I'll have to start over, find someone new, rebuild that trust.

No. Whatever this thing is between Annabelle and me, it isn't worth risking my daughter's happiness.

I press a kiss to Ashlynn's forehead. She's fallen asleep against my shoulder, completely trusting, completely innocent. Tomorrow, I'll set clearer boundaries with Annabelle. Keep things strictly professional.

But as I lay Ashlynn in her bed and tuck her in, another thought creeps in: What if I'm using my daughter as an excuse? What if the real reason I'm pulling back is because I'm scared? Not of ruining things for Ashlynn, but of opening myself up again after being left.

I shake the thought away. It doesn't matter. The decision is made.

Later, after Annabelle has gone home and the house is quiet, I pour myself another whiskey and stand at the kitchen window, staring out at nothing. I try to convince myself I'm doing the right thing. The responsible thing.

But I can still feel the ghost of her lips against mine. Can still see her cradling my daughter like she was the most precious thing in the world.

And I know, with a certainty that terrifies me, that staying away from Annabelle is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done.

CHAPTER TWO

Annabelle

Istare at my reflection in the mirror, scrutinizing every detail as I hold up two different tops. The blue tank top makes my eyes pop, but the green t-shirt hugs my curves in all the right places. Why am I overthinking this? It's just another day of work, watching Ashlynn, cleaning up toys, making lunch. Except it's not just another day, not since that kiss with Nolan.

The kiss that's been replaying in my mind for the past two weeks.

I toss both options onto my bed and dig through my closet again. This is ridiculous. I'm a professional nanny, not a lovesick teenager. But the way his lips felt against mine, the way his hand cupped my face so gently yet possessively. The memory makes me groan. I knew if I ever let myself touch him, it would be over with.

"Get it together, Annabelle," I mutter to myself, finally settling on a simple white t-shirt and jeans that look casual but flattering. I add a delicate necklace that sits just at my collarbone. Professional, but not trying too hard. Perfect.

As I apply a light touch of makeup, I rehearse what I'll say when I see him. "Good morning, Mr. King." Too formal afterwhat happened, besides I've never called him Mr. King. Not since I was interviewed, but even then it wasn't that formal. Ashlynn was in my room at the daycare, and we'd known each other, at least in the acquaintance type of way. "Hey, Nolan." Too casual, like we're friends or something more. I do call him Nolan, but typically it's with the respect reserved for an employer. "Morning." Simple, cheerful, non-committal. Yes, that's safe. No it's not, I sound like an idiot. I'm not super cheerful in the morning, and it'll seem like I'm thinking about this too much. Which I am.

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